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Original poster

Chat for those who are shielding

956 replies

AuntieSocia1 · 22/04/2020 16:06

Apologies for the very unsnazzy title but as it suggests a place to chat for those who have to shield at the moment. A few of us have been talking on the the Shielding after lockdown thread in the coronavirus topic.

Thought I'd put this in chat as some days I'm guessing we'll want to chat about anything other than coronavirus!

I know all of our circumstances are quite different as well as the reason we need to shield but it's a pretty big thing to have in common. Despite my username I look forward to interacting with you and as my username suggests I might also slink off from time to time!

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ofwarren · 22/04/2020 16:16

Thanks for creating a thread for us all. It's a really good idea.
It will be nice to speak to others in a similar situation.

HGC2 · 22/04/2020 16:26

Hi,

I have been informally shielding as hadn't had "the letter" but knew ate best i'd be moderate risk but more likely high. Was due for bloods today and the GP phoned to say that as I was shielding as per "the letter" I wasn't to come. They are sending me it on so I get to see it too!

All that aside I'm well, working from home, battling with kids and trying to stay reasonably fit!

Do you have a garden to go into?

IHaveBrilloHair · 22/04/2020 16:28

5 weeks tomorrow and Im so fed up.
I got a call from my council to check on me today though which was nice.

ofwarren · 22/04/2020 16:28

We have a garden thankfully. It's my 5 year old who's shielded so all of us have to.
I also have a 4 year old a 17 year old and a husband who works from home.

HGC2 · 22/04/2020 16:30

Do any of you have anyone at home who goes out for work? My husband has to but I'm keeping away from him, separate rooms etc. If so, how do you manage it?

Sirzy · 22/04/2020 16:31

My 10 year old is shielding.

Thankfully today we have had an email from ASDA offering us a weekly delivery pass which is going to be massive help and stop me needing to keep setting alarms to wake up to try to get slots

Original poster
AuntieSocia1 · 22/04/2020 16:36

I'm hoping Dh will be able to work from home for as long as I need to shield. He'll be able to if it's 12 weeks but not sure he'll be able to if it's longer.

My oldest is due to start school this year too. Again if we have to shield then I really don't know how it would work. How do you tell a 4 year old not to cuddle their mummy. Trying to not think too far into the future but it's hard.

I also work p/t and can do that from home although the stress of doing that and having the kids at the same time is really making some of my symptoms flare.

On the positive sides, life is generally good in the sense the kids are happy and we have a garden which like others I'm so grateful for at the moment.

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Ledkr · 22/04/2020 16:37

My ds is shielding but not with me.
He lives in a very small flat with his pg girlfriend with no garden.
She has stopped work as they cant keep a distance in such a small space.
He is furloughed but his company will reopen asap so he will then end up on ssp and his gf on smp.
Its a huge worry.

Sirzy · 22/04/2020 16:41

That sounds a complete nightmare LedKr hopefully something is put in place to financially support those who can’t work due to shielding

Ledkr · 22/04/2020 16:55

They have bought a house which they should move into in may so at least they will have a garden and im guessing it will be UC and a mortgage holiday if they can. 😕

Ifonlywecouldwishuponastar · 22/04/2020 19:09

5 weeks and I'm really fed up. I hardly hear from anyone apart from family. I know it's for the best, but i feel like my whole life has been taken away from me and I just can't seem to get into a routine.

ClientQ · 22/04/2020 20:31

Shielding alone, I have a small garden thankfully. Furloughed from work
Hospital have changed my 10 weekly appointment to a phone one but still want me to go and have bloods which seems.. daft!

Bearlyclearly · 22/04/2020 20:47

I’m shielding on my own, I live in a 9th floor flat so no garden and it’s becoming really hard. I’m on my 3rd week and just don’t know how I’m going to survive the 12 weeks indoors. To get outside I have to go in a lift and through the buildings lobby and I’m not sure if I’m keeping myself safe enough to do that and go for a walk to save my sanity.

Ledkr · 23/04/2020 09:44

Does anyone know if a shielding person can still be furloughed if their workplace reopens?

Sirzy · 23/04/2020 11:08

We have just taken a delivery from brakes of a food box. Wasn’t expecting it at all but apparently they are being sent out to everyone on the vulnerable list. Handy supply of basics like pasta

Redcherries · 23/04/2020 11:23

I read today ( I was on an advice website for businesses and this came up in the comments and several people agreed this is the case so its not printed in a factual statement, just to highlight this) that people shielding who are furloughed can remain furloughed for the 12 weeks, its not just for businesses that have shut the doors. Its worth looking in to.

Original poster
AuntieSocia1 · 23/04/2020 11:25

That's interesting Sirzy on my letter you had to opt in for a good box, I haven't but it did say I could opt in at any time

@Bearlyclearly that sounds really hard are you working or still managing to stay in contact with people? Now you have us to check in with too, just whenever you feel like it of course!

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Original poster
AuntieSocia1 · 23/04/2020 11:28

I am still working from home but struggling. Symptoms are flaring I think between a combination of stress and trying to keep young kids occupied. I am thinking of taking sick leave but really not sure what's for the best. Trying to push through.

I have a favour to ask @ofwarren would you be able to put a link to this thread on the shielding after lockdown one? Someone has asked me to do it but I don't know how Blush

Or if anyone else could please. Thank you!

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 23/04/2020 11:43

My brakes box has just come too and Im on the priority list with Sainsbury's

ALemonyPea · 23/04/2020 11:46

Hi everyone. I'm coming to the end of week 4, another 7 weeks and 2 days at least.

DH has been furloughed, so luckily don't have the stress of that. Have three DC, one with SN, so having DH here is helpful and he has been taking them for a walk every day.

Have an Asda delivery slot every week, and that has been a godsend. Asda have been the best supermarket for those shielding, free delivery and free delivery pass. Given how expensive food is, every little bit helps (or is that a Tesco logo Wink)

I'm having days when I'm struggling mentally, Tuesday was a bad day. I don't feel I can talk to any of my friends about it as nobody wants to hear me moan on, and nobody gets it really. Fed up with people telling me to go for a walk early in the morning or late at night or making me feel that I'm being overly paranoid.

ALemonyPea · 23/04/2020 11:47

I work with the LA, they sent me home the day I got the text and I'm in full pay, so at least I don't have to worry so much about that. Have had to take a mortgage break though as DH wages cut to 80% and he is the main wage earner.

InOtterNews · 23/04/2020 11:56

Week 5 or 6 for me (I've lost track of time). Undergoing chemotherapy. My diagnosis came on 17 March so the day after Boris announces stay home measures. I do have a garden which I'm grateful. I moved home last year, in theory, to look after my elderly Mum - who is supposed to be shielding too but she rebels at least once a week

TBH I'm shielding until the end of treatment - which might be November if my transplant happens quickly as is currently planned

HGC2 · 23/04/2020 13:10

How are we all today? I ordered a pair of boots that arrived today, very excited!

Gilead · 23/04/2020 13:19

Hi, I'm shielding too. I may have nipped out at half past five the other morning for a wee walk with the dog. Nobody about, and I live middle of nowhere. First time I'd been out since 16th March. It felt nice to be human again.
I'm lucky though, all four children call me daily and I have friends.
I too got a government box this morning. It would have been really good if I needed it, fresh fruit, veg, pasta sauce, pasta, rice, bread, porridge and some tins. As well as loo roll and soap. It's gone to the food bank.

Pinkywoo · 23/04/2020 13:23

I'm shielding with six months old DS, DH is still having to go out so we're in separate rooms which is hard. It's been six and a half weeks now as DH is Italian so we knew where this was heading and isolated early, we do have a little garden though which helps.

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